Dovetail structure of connector

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a dovetail structure of a connector that can be disposed on a first joint surface and a second joint surface of a casing. The dovetail structure includes a pin module and a slot module. An interference structure formed by the pin module and the slot module enables the two connectors with a dovetail structure to be assembled easily to achieve a stable combination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 109202883 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. onMar. 11, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, andmore particularly to a dovetail structure applied to a connector forbuilding a number of modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional connector such as an automotive connector is installed ina car for connecting electronic devices. The quantity of connectors usedin the car depends on various models of cars provided by differentmanufacturers. For example, some models of cars require two connectorsand some require five connector. Therefore, the manufactures have toprepare different molds to meet different requirements, since theseconnectors cannot be used universally for different models of carsprovided by different manufacturers.

To overcome the aforementioned problems, related connector manufacturerspropose a variety of modular combining methods. Although these methodscan overcome the problems of the prior art, yet it takes lots of effortsand time for the assemblers to making connections by the connectorsduring the assembling process. As the quantity of connectors used forthe assembly changes, deformations may occur easily due to stresses ortensions and cause the connector to be compressed or even affectsubsequent connections and change electrical properties.

In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the presentinvention discloses a dovetail structure of a connector to overcome thedrawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a dovetailstructure of a connector that can achieve the effects of assembling aplurality of connectors modularly.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide a stepstructure based on the dovetail structure for assembling two casingseasily and connecting the two casings with one another securely.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide an easyalignment in an early assembling stage based on the dovetail structureand achieve a tight fit effect by using an interference structure in alate assembling stage.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a stopstructure (or a latch structure) for preventing the combined casingsfrom separating from each other or falling out.

A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a casing with adeformation slot based on the dovetail structure, so that when twoconnectors are combined with each other and interference occurs, anelastic deformation space is provided for accommodating the deformation.

A sixth objective of the present invention is to a high-flatnesscombination based on the dovetail structure to prevent deformationsoccurred in the combination.

A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide an automotiveconnector based on the dovetail structure.

To achieve the aforementioned and other objectives, the presentinvention discloses a dovetail structure of a connector disposed on afirst joint surface and a second joint surface of a casing. The dovetailstructure comprises a pin module and a slot module. The pin module isdisposed on the first joint surface. The pin module has a first guideblock and a second guide block. The first guide block and the secondguide block are parallel to each other and have a first dovetail tenonand a second dovetail tenon formed thereon respectively. An outer edgedistance between the first guide block and the second guide block of thefirst dovetail tenon is smaller than the outer edge distance between thefirst guide block and the second guide block of the second dovetailtenon. The slot module is disposed on the second joint surface. The slotmodule has a first guide slot and a second guide slot. The first guideslot and the second guide slot are parallel to each other and have afirst dovetail tenon hole and a second dovetail tenon hole formedthereon respectively. An inner edge distance between the first guideslot and the second guide slot of the first dovetail tenon hole isgreater than the inner edge distance between the first guide slot andthe second guide slot of the second dovetail tenon hole. Wherein, theinner edge distance is greater than or equal to the outer edge distance.

To achieve the aforementioned and other objectives, the presentinvention further discloses a connector with a dovetail structure andcomprising a casing, a pin module and a slot module. The casing providesa first joint surface and a second joint surface. The pin module isdisposed on the first joint surface. The pin module has a first guideblock and a second guide block. The first guide block and the secondguide block are parallel to each other and have a first dovetail tenonand a second dovetail tenon formed thereon respectively. An outer edgedistance between the first guide block and the second guide block of thefirst dovetail tenon is smaller than the outer edge distance between thefirst guide block and the second guide block of the second dovetailtenon. The slot module is disposed on the second joint surface. The slotmodule has a first guide slot and a second guide slot. The first guideslot and the second guide slot are parallel to each other and have afirst dovetail tenon hole and a second dovetail tenon hole formedthereon respectively. An inner edge distance between the first guideslot and the second guide slot of the first dovetail tenon hole isgreater than the inner edge distance between the first guide slot andthe second guide slot of the second dovetail tenon hole. Wherein, theinner edge distance is greater than or equal to the outer edge distance.

To achieve the aforementioned and other objectives, the presentinvention further discloses a connector with a dovetail structurecomponent. The connector component comprises a first connector and asecond connector. The first connector comprises a first casing, a firstpin module and a first slot module. The first pin module and the firstslot module are disposed on the first casing. The first pin module has afirst dovetail tenon and a second dovetail tenon formed thereon. Thefirst slot module has a first dovetail tenon hole and a second dovetailtenon hole formed thereon. Wherein, the outer edge distance of the firstdovetail tenon is smaller than the outer edge distance of the seconddovetail tenon. The inner edge distance of the first dovetail tenon holeis greater than the inner edge distance of the second dovetail tenonhole, and the inner edge distance is greater than or equal to the outeredge distance. The second connector comprises a second casing, a secondpin module and a second slot module. The second pin module and thesecond slot module are disposed on the second casing. The second pinmodule has a third dovetail tenon and a fourth dovetail tenon formedthereon. The second slot module has a third dovetail tenon hole and afourth dovetail tenon hole formed thereon. Wherein, the outer edgedistance of the third dovetail tenon is smaller than the outer edgedistance of the fourth dovetail tenon. The inner edge distance of thethird dovetail tenon hole is greater than the inner edge distance of thefourth dovetail tenon hole, and the inner edge distance is greater thanor equal to the outer edge distance. When the first dovetail tenon movesalong the three dovetail tenon holes, the first pin module combines withthe second slot module. Until the second dovetail tenon touches thethird dovetail tenon hole and the first dovetail tenon touches thefourth dovetail tenon hole, the second dovetail tenon and the thirddovetail tenon hole have an interference with each other and the firstdovetail tenon and the fourth dovetail tenon hole have an interferencewith each other, so that the first pin module has a tight fit with thesecond slot module.

Compared with the prior art, the quantity of dovetail structures of thepresent invention can be adjusted according to actual needs, thisinvention no longer needs additional molds designed for a fixedquantity. Particularly, the present invention provides a steppedinterference structure that can achieves the effects of easy assemblingand secured combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dovetail structure applied to aconnector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a pin module installed to the casing ofthe present invention as depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a slot module installed to the casing ofthe present invention as depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a first connector with a dovetailstructure and a second connector with a dovetail structure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a first connector with a dovetail structureand a second connector with a dovetail structure in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention before assembling;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a first connector with a dovetail structure anda second connector with a dovetail structure in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention after assembling; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a dovetail structure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The technical characteristics of the present invention will becomeapparent with the detailed description of preferred embodimentsaccompanied with the illustration of related drawings. It is intendedthat the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein are to be consideredillustrative rather than restrictive.

In this invention, the terms “a” and “one” are used as a unit, anelement and a component for the description of this specification tofacilitate the description and provide a general meaning to the scope ofthe invention, so that both “a” and “one” refer to one or at least oneincluding an odd or even number, unless otherwise specified.

In this invention, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”“containing” or any other similar terminologies intend to covernon-exclusive contents. For example, the invention comprising an elementof a plurality of elements, structures, products, or devices is notlimited to the elements listed in the specification only, but alsoincluding other usually inherent elements, structures, products ordevices which are not listed specifically. Unless otherwise specified,the term “or” refers to the inclusive “or”, but not the exclusive “or”.

With reference to FIG. 1 for a schematic view of a dovetail structureapplied to a connector in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the connector having a dovetail structure 10 comprises acasing 12, a pin module 14 and a slot module 16.

The casing 12 provides a first joint surface 122 and a second jointsurface 124.

The pin module 14 is disposed on the first joint surface 122 and has afirst guide block 142 and a second guide block 144. The first guideblock 142 and the second guide block 144 are parallel to each other andprovided to form a first dovetail tenon 146 and a second dovetail tenon148 respectively.

With reference to FIG. 2 for a schematic view of installing a pin moduleto a casing in accordance with the present invention, an outer edgedistance dl between the first guide block 142 and the second guide block144 of the first dovetail tenon 146 is smaller than the outer edgedistance d2 between the second guide block 144 and the first guide block142 of the second dovetail tenon 148. In this embodiment, the outer edgedistance refers to the distance between the outer edge of the firstguide block 142 and the outer edge of the second guide block 144 asshown in the figure.

In this embodiment, the pin module 14 further comprises a first stopper1410 having a first bevel 1412. The first stopper 1410 is installed atthe second dovetail tenon 148, and the first stopper 1410 can also beinstalled at any position of the pin module 14 in another embodiment.The first guide block 142 and the second guide block 144 of the seconddovetail tenon 148 are coupled to each other by a connecting member 1414to form a first stopper 1410, and the structure of the connecting member1414 can enhance the connection strength. In another embodiment, thestructure of the connecting member 1414 is not limited to theaforementioned arrangement of connecting to the first guide block 142and the second guide block 144 only.

In another embodiment, the two outer edges of the dovetail tenon can beformed into ribs 1416 respectively.

With reference to FIG. 3 for a schematic view of installing a slotmodule to a casing in accordance with the present invention, the slotmodule 16 is disposed on the second joint surface 124 and has a firstguide slot 162 and a second guide slot 164. The first guide slot 162 andthe second guide slot 164 are parallel to each other and provided forforming a first dovetail tenon hole 166 and a second dovetail tenon hole168 respectively. An inner edge distance d3 between the first guide slot162 and the second guide slot 164 of the first dovetail tenon hole 166is greater than the inner edge distance d4 between the first guide slot162 and the second guide slot 164 of the second dovetail tenon hole 168.In this embodiment, the inner edge distance d3, d4 refer to the distancebetween the inner edge of the first guide slot 162 and the inner edge ofthe second guide slot 164 as shown in the figure. In this embodiment,the inner edge distance d3, d4 of the dovetail tenon hole 166, 168 isgreater than or equal to the outer edge distance dl, d2 of the dovetailtenon 146, 148.

In another embodiment, two inner edges of the dovetail tenon hole areformed into ribs respectively (not shown in the figure).

In this embodiment, the slot module 16 further comprises a secondstopper 1610, and the second stopper 1610 has a second bevel 1612. Thesecond stopper 1610 is disposed at the first dovetail tenon hole 166. Inanother embodiment, the slot module 16 can be disposed at any positionof the slot module 16. Wherein, the second stopper 1610 is configured tobe corresponsive to the first stopper 1410. When the first bevel 1412 ofthe first stopper 1410 of any connector touches the second bevel 1612 ofthe second stopper 1610 of another connector, the first bevel 1412 isacted on the second bevel 1612, and after the first stopper 1410 and thesecond stopper 1610 are staggered with each other, the first stopper1410 and the second stopper 1610 are limited and latched with eachother.

With reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 for the schematic views of assembling afirst connector with a dovetail structure and a second connector with adovetail structure in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the assembly of the firstconnector with the dovetail structure and the second connector with thedovetail structure, FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the assembly of thefirst connector with the dovetail structure and the second connectorwith the dovetail structure, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of adovetail structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, a first connector 20 and a second connector 30 are provided.

The first connector 20 comprises a first casing 202, a first pin module204 and a first slot module 206 which are substantially the same asthose described above, and thus will not be repeated.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, the first pin module 204 and the first slot module 206are disposed on the first casing 202. The first pin module 204 isprovided for forming a first dovetail tenon 2042 and a second dovetailtenon 2044. Wherein, an outer edge distance of the first dovetail tenon2042 is smaller than the outer edge distance of the second dovetailtenon 2044.

The first slot module 206 is provided for forming a first dovetail tenonhole 2062 and a second dovetail tenon hole 2064. Wherein, an inner edgedistance of the first dovetail tenon hole 2062 is greater than the inneredge distance of the second dovetail tenon hole 2064, and the inner edgedistance is greater than or equal to the outer edge distance of thefirst dovetail tenon 2042 (or the second dovetail tenon 2044).

The second connector 30 comprises a second casing 302, a second pinmodule 304 and a second slot module 306, which are substantially thesame as those described above, and thus will not be repeated.

The second pin module 304 and the second slot module 306 are disposed atthe second casing 302.

The second pin module 304 is provided for forming a third dovetail tenon3042 and a fourth dovetail tenon 3044. Wherein, the outer edge distanceof the third dovetail tenon 3042 is smaller than the outer edge distanceof the fourth dovetail tenon 3044.

The second slot module 306 is provided for forming a third dovetailtenon hole 3062 and a fourth dovetail tenon hole 3064. Wherein, theinner edge distance of the third dovetail tenon hole 3062 is greaterthan the inner edge distance of the fourth dovetail tenon hole 3064, andthe inner edge distance is greater than or equal to the outer edgedistance of the third dovetail tenon 3042 (or the fourth dovetail tenon3044).

In FIG. 7, when the third dovetail tenon 3042 and the fourth dovetailtenon 3044 move along the first dovetail tenon hole 2062 and the seconddovetail tenon hole 2064 respectively, the first slot module 206combines with the second pin module 304. Until the third dovetail tenon3042 touches the second dovetail tenon hole 2064 and the fourth dovetailtenon 3044 touches the first dovetail tenon hole 2062, the thirddovetail tenon 3042 and the second dovetail tenon hole 2064 haveinterference with each other, and the first dovetail tenon 3044 and thefirst dovetail tenon hole 2062 have interference with each other toproduce deformations, so that the first slot module 206 has a tight fitwith the second pin module 304. The combined state is shown in FIGS. 5and 6.

It is noteworthy that the first dovetail tenon hole 2062 adjacent to thecasing 20 can be formed into a first deformation slot 2066; and thefourth dovetail tenon 3044 adjacent to the casing 30 can be formed intoa second deformation slot 3046. The first deformation slot 2066 and thesecond deformation slot 3046 are provided for accommodating the pressingand squeezing forces caused by the tight fit.

While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments,numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dovetail structure of a connector, disposed ona first joint surface and a second joint surface, comprising: a pinmodule, disposed on the first joint surface, and having a first guideblock and a second guide block parallel to each other, and a firstdovetail tenon and a second dovetail tenon formed on the first guideblock and the second guide block respectively, and an outer edgedistance between the first guide block and the second guide block of thefirst dovetail tenon being smaller than the outer edge distance betweenthe first guide block and the second guide block of the second dovetailtenon; and a slot module, disposed on the second joint surface, andhaving a first guide slot and a second guide slot parallel to eachother, and a first dovetail tenon hole and a second dovetail tenon holeformed on the first guide slot and the second guide slot respectively,and an inner edge distance between the first guide slot and the secondguide slot of the first dovetail tenon hole being greater than the inneredge distance between the first guide slot and the second guide slot ofthe second dovetail tenon hole, wherein the inner edge distance is notsmaller than the outer edge distance.
 2. The dovetail structure of aconnector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin module furthercomprises a first stopper and the slot module further comprises a secondstopper, and the first stopper is configured to be corresponsive to thesecond stopper, and the first stopper has a first bevel and the secondstopper has a second bevel.
 3. The dovetail structure of a connector asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the first guide block and the second guideblock of the second dovetail tenon are coupled by a connecting member toform the first stopper.
 4. The dovetail structure of a connector asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the first stopper is disposed at the seconddovetail tenon, and the second stopper is disposed at the first dovetailtenon hole.
 5. The dovetail structure of a connector as claimed in claim2, wherein the first bevel is configured to be corresponsive to thesecond bevel.
 6. The dovetail structure of a connector as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second dovetail tenon has an outer edge on at leastone side is formed into a rib.
 7. A connector with a dovetail structure,comprising: a casing, providing a first joint surface and a second jointsurface; a pin module, disposed on the first joint surface, and having afirst guide block and a second guide block parallel to each other and afirst dovetail tenon and a second dovetail tenon formed on the firstguide block and the second guide block respectively, and an outer edgedistance between the first guide block and the second guide block of thefirst dovetail tenon being smaller than the outer edge distance betweenthe first guide block and the second guide block of the second dovetailtenon; and a slot module, disposed on the second joint surface, andhaving a first guide slot and a second guide slot parallel to each otherand a first dovetail tenon hole and a second dovetail tenon hole formedon the first guide slot and the second guide slot respectively, and aninner edge distance between the first guide slot and the second guideslot of the first dovetail tenon hole being greater than the inner edgedistance between the first guide slot and the second guide slot of thesecond dovetail tenon hole, wherein the inner edge distance is notsmaller than the outer edge distance.
 8. The connector with a dovetailstructure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first joint surface of thecasing has a first deformation slot formed thereon and at positionadjacent to the second dovetail tenon.
 9. The connector with a dovetailstructure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second joint surface of thecasing has a second deformation slot formed thereon and at a positionadjacent to the first dovetail tenon hole.
 10. A connector componentwith a dovetail structure, comprising: a first connector, comprising afirst casing, a first pin module and a first slot module, and the firstpin module and the first slot module being disposed on the first casing,and the first pin module having a first dovetail tenon and the seconddovetail tenon formed thereon and the first slot module having a firstdovetail tenon hole and a second dovetail tenon hole formed thereon,wherein an outer edge distance of the first dovetail tenon is smallerthan the outer edge distance of the second dovetail tenon, and an inneredge distance of the first dovetail tenon hole is greater than the inneredge distance of the second dovetail tenon hole, and the inner edgedistance is not smaller than the outer edge distance; and a secondconnector, comprising a second casing, a second pin module and a secondslot module, and the second pin module and the second slot module beingdisposed at the second casing, and the second pin module having a thirddovetail tenon and a fourth dovetail tenon formed thereon, and thesecond slot module having a third dovetail tenon hole and a fourthdovetail tenon hole formed thereon, wherein an outer edge distance ofthe third dovetail tenon is smaller than the outer edge distance of thefourth dovetail tenon, and an inner edge distance of the third dovetailtenon hole is greater than the inner edge distance of the fourthdovetail tenon hole, and the inner edge distance is not smaller than theouter edge distance; wherein, when the first dovetail tenon moves alongthe third dovetail tenon hole, the first pin module combines with thesecond slot module, and until the second dovetail tenon touches thethird dovetail tenon hole and the first dovetail tenon touches thefourth dovetail tenon hole, the second dovetail tenon and the thirddovetail tenon hole have interference and the first dovetail tenon andthe fourth dovetail tenon hole have interference to deform, so that thefirst pin module has a tight fit with the second slot module.